E.J. Bellocq: Storyville

Made around 1918, Bellocq’s beguiling photographs of women remain as enigmatic as their maker. His subjects are posed relaxing in domestic and outdoor environments, sometimes nude, sometimes with faces obscured by intentionally damaged photographic emulsion. Apparently unknown during the artist’s time, the negatives were found and subsequently printed by Lee Friedlander.

Black and white photograph of a woman laying on an ironing board, petting a small dog
Black and white photograph of a woman in a white dress standing outside in front of a hedge.
Black and white photograph of a woman with her face scratched out in a dance pose
Black and white photograph of a woman holding flowers in front of a white backdrop
Black and white photograph of a woman in lingerie standing in front of a chair, with her face scratched out
Black and white photograph of a nude woman reclining on a wicker lounge chair
Black and white photograph of a woman in a negligee, leaning with her arm resting on a dresser
Black and white photograph of a nude woman facing a wall, with her face scratched out
Black and white photograph of a nude woman standing at a dresser, facing away from the camera and reflected in the dresser mirror.